What is the restraining power on earth doing right now?
Right now on earth, the restraining power is withholding the Antichrist, acting like a dam in a river, ensuring the man Antichrist is not revealed on the world scene until the appointed time set by God. It prevents his premature appearance.
Les explains that Paul writes in verse 6 that the believers know who withholds or restrains—like a dam in a river—so that the Antichrist might be revealed in his time, not ahead of time. Les emphasizes there is a restraining power on the earth tonight making sure the man Antichrist does not come on the scene until it is God's time. He also says this is why he teaches as much prophecy as he does, because if Paul thought prophecy was important in his day to those new believers fresh out of paganism, then how much more important it is for us to teach and know it as we approach the hour.